On death row, the condemned man was asked what he would like for his last meal before execution. The menu was - Lobster, Filet Mignon, Beef Wellington, Caviar or Shrimp. The prisoner replied - “I’d like a bowl of mushrooms.” The warden was surprised, “Why a bowl of mushrooms?” The prisoner replied, “I’ve always been afraid I’d die eating them…..”
What makes you bold? When there’s nothing left to lose? Or are you like the young man in a true story who was almost robbed in New York City while walking from the bus depot to his father’s apartment. 2 men approached him and pulled a gun demanding that he give them his wallet. “NO” he replied. They pointed the gun at his head and said, “give us your wallet”. “NO” he replied again. Finally, they gave up! When later asked why he didn’t give up his wallet, he replied, “My learner’s permit is in it.”
Let’s look at 2 scenes:
Scene 1: Jesus has just been arrested by the temple guards & Romans. In the courtyard, the disciples have run for their lives. Peter is hiding in the shadows and is recognized and accused of being one of Jesus’ followers. 3 times, Peter denies even knowing the man out of fear.
Scene 2: (Acts 4:1-21) Peter and John boldly teach Jesus rose from the dead. Arrested & brought before a council (v5), they were commanded to stop teaching (v16-20). In response, Peter and John said they could not stop teaching/preaching in the name of Jesus Christ.
What happened to Peter and John? What was the reason for their Jekyl & Hyde transformation? Did they take some pill to make them super-Christians? What changed them from wimps to witnesses? What was it that gave them the boldness to stand against the same people who had Jesus crucified?
If we could find out what happened to them, and have the same thing happen to every Christian in today’s word, the world would be turned rightside up.
Today’s world could use Christians who are as bold as Peter and John. More and more often, people with “new” ideas boldly go where no one has gone before. It almost seems the more bizarre the idea, the bolder the proponent. Take for example, the homosexual lobby and agenda which is now being espoused as “normal” when throughout history, it has been abnormal. The proponents of homosexual rights are bolder than ever before, with quick assusations of homophobia.
The church is faced with increased secularism & tolerance. More and more people are hesitant to tell anyone their belief may be wrong. This is nothing new! In Judges 21:25, the Scripture tells us why there were so many problems during the period of the judges with these simple words - “everyone did as he saw fit” (NIV) or “so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (NLT)
In a not too distant encounter while witnessing to a couple, I asked them if what they believed was not true would they want to know….. and they said, “no, not really!” They were not Christians but were content to be wrong rather than be confronted with the truth.
What’s the source for courage? Someone recently said that what this church needs is a good old-fashioned prayer meeting at the altar. Someone else told me we need a REVIVAL! I agree if they mean a renewal of fervor for the Lord Jesus Christ!
What does a bold Christian look like? Do they carry 3 Bibles, a pocket full of tracts, and quote Scripture like the apostle Paul? To get an accurate picture of Christian boldness, let’s look at the disciples’ example and see the results of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
1. Boldness in TEACHING - (v1-4)
Peter and John had been speaking to the people in the temple. Taught from childhood of the importance of temple attendance, they still worshipped at the temple and honored the Word of God. They upheld their rich tradition as God’s chosen people. But, in the temple (after healing a crippled beggar), they were teaching about Jesus Christ. (v12-16)
Remember that the Jewish leaders were responsible for Jesus crucifixion and were upset with Peter and John. The temple leadership, including the priests were probably tired of hearing about the rebel named Jesus, who had caused quite an uproar in the traditions of the temple. Jesus had disturbed temple worship and now these 2 men were teaching contrary to tradition.
Peter and John boldly taught that Jesus Christ was God, contrary to the Jewish teaching. They further taught the Jewish people to turn from their sinful ways (3:26). Even worse, these 2 disciples were proclaiming that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and was alive. Their boldness was unsettling to the priests and temple leaders. In fact, the word indicates they were disturbed (perfect passive participle), worked up and still upset. The next day, the Sanhedrin (the ruling 70) arrested them. This included the Pharisees (vigilant nationalists) who preserved tradition at all costs and were the seats of authority, the Sadduccees (wealthy and controlled all the right people and seats) peace-at-all-cost type of people and who could put up with Rome, but not with teaching about any resurrection.
It has often been said that "don’t discuss religion and politics" which both have potential for tremendous disagreement between friends and family. But, when people boldly teach something is true and believe it with fervor and intensity, they are hard to stop. Just look at the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses and the resulting growth of their boldness. Their fervor is contagious and visible.
Illustration: If you to teach a book on crocheting, but didn’t really know much about crocheting, after studying the book and looking at the pictures, you could probably teach the material, maybe even effectively. You could teach it without much feeling or fervor but you’d get the job done.
On the other hand, let’s say that you have a passion for the hobby of photography and you’re asked to teach photography. What would be the difference between teaching your passion of photography or just teaching a book on crocheting? Will there be more boldness in teaching photography or crocheting? Which will you enjoy more? Which will make more impact?
Could the Bible be taught without passion? Could it be that we would have a full Sunday School or a full Sunday School class IF we taught with passion? Would people come to see you burn? Would you want to go somewhere to just read the material in a DEAD class or church. Or would you want to be where the WORD of GOD is studied with passion and impacts people’s lives? Could it be that sometimes we may superficially teach the most powerful message in the world? Do we avoid subjects that may be confrontational? Could we more concerned about feelings than faithfulness to the Gospel message?
We, the Church of Jesus Christ, need to be reminded that some people will not like the Gospel message. We need to be bold in our teaching of the cross of Jesus Christ and further remind people that sin is sin! We need to be reminded that none of us is perfect and none of us qualifies as a messenger but the Word of God is perfect and demands boldness…….
2. BOLDNESS in the HEALING power of Jesus’ Name (v5-11)
2 fisherman caused an uproar in the temple by healing a lame beggar with the power of the name of Jesus. When that beggar walked and praised God, he caused quite an uproar at the Temple gate.
You see, it’s one thing to teach about Jesus, it was quite another to see someone healed in the name of Jesus. Peter and John boldly proclaimed (4:10) it was in the name of Jesus. They were not ashamed to be identified with the name of Jesus. His healing had been by the name of Jesus (3:16, 4:10)
Christianity is the major cause of many of the hospitals in the world today. Christian medical missionaries are welcomed in most of the countries of the world. Christians believe in healing and health! We pray for people to be healed and believe that Jesus Christ is the Great Physician. We believe that if anyone is healed, Jesus Christ does it.
During prayer, we pray for the sick to be healed. We pray with people in the hospital, nursing homes, and during times of sickness. How many times, have you prayed for family members, friends, neighbors or even people you didn’t know? How many times have you asked a member of our staff, or of your Sunday School class to pray for members of your family who were having surgery? How many times have we prayed in the name of Jesus and really believed that they were going to be healed? Did we pray for healing? Peter and John demonstrated a confidence in the name of Jesus that HE WOULD HEAL THE MAN.
We need a renewed boldness in the prayer of faith for healing. As in any doctrine, there can be excesses and abuses of the prayer for healing. However, many churches and pastors, including we Baptists, need to remember that Jesus Christ is the healer and that He alone heals. So, doesn’t it stand to reason that we should be bold in this area of our prayer?
During the 1970’s when the San Diego Chargers had Dan Fouts as quarterback, in 1 particular game, both Fouts and the team were having a bad day. With 2 minutes remaining in the game, San Diego was down 14-0. Frustrations were high so the coach pulled the star Fouts and put in the backup quarterback, Bobby Douglas. As Douglas strapped on his helmet with anticipation, he bolted onto the field, heading for the huddle. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, turned to the coach and yelled, “Coach, do you want me to win the game, or just tie it?” What a great statement! Do we have that kind of confidence in Jesus Christ? Do we trust Him to just get by or to heal totally?
3. A BOLDNESS in PREACHING (v12-13)
Some time ago in Moscow, there was a courageous Baptist pastor who served in one of the larger cities in the Soviet Union. Under unlikely circumstances, he planted 12 new Baptist congregations, each with well-established pastoral leadership and modest buildings. On 1 occasion, he told how he approached the minister of religious affairs for permission to build a Baptist church on an attractive piece of property. The Soviet official refused, saying, “As long as I am alive, there will never be a Baptist church on that location.” As the pastor was leaving his office, he replied, “Mr. Minister, I respect the fact that you serve as a minister of the Supreme Soviet State. But, I serve as minister of the Most High God and I will pray that God will spare you and not take your life so His church can be built on that piece of property.” The Soviet official was obviously shaken by his comments and replied, “You’re serious aren’t you?” and he called the Baptist preacher back into his office. That incident led to a series of conversations, which eventually resulted in the acquisition of the property and building of the church. The minister of religious affairs even came to the dedication service. All because of the preacher’s boldness!!!!
When we talk about BOLDNESS in preaching, remember there are basically 2 types of religions:
1 - Those who teach that you can do something to be accepted by God.
2 - Christianity - You can do nothing to be acceptedby God and that salvation is by grace through faith alone.
Some people are bold in a crowd. Some people are bold when they talk behind your back but not in front of your face. But, Peter and John were bold even though they were in the minority of 2! They boldly stated there is no salvation in any other name but Jesus! That’s quite a statement for someone raised as a Jew - believing in the Chosen Generation & Royal Priesthood. They were unapologetically stating that they people need Jesus!!!!!
Non-Christians often have trouble with Jesus’ statement “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life…..” Non-Christians are blind and have been deceived into believing that God’s love makes everyone acceptable to Him. Jesus is very exclusive - either follow Him or you don’t get into heaven! That statement has a tendency to make some people uncomfortable, especially in a “tolerant” worldview.
Who is Jesus to say that He alone is the Way? Who is to say that Mohammed or Buddha didn’t have as much light as Jesus? What right do we have to tell relgious people that God is not impressed with your attendance at Mass or worship every day of the week? Who are you to tell some good person that they are not going to heaven? What right do we have to tell someone any of these things?
Jesus Christ is the only way - Amen? On more than one occasion, members have tried to persuade me that their son/daughter/family member was a good person and probably going to heaven. On more than one occasion, I’ve asked that person if they ever asked their family member about their faith in Jesus Christ and was given this answer - “well they were raised a Baptist.” Is that enough? Would that have been enough for Peter and John?
Our actions may speak louder than our words. If there was a dangerous intersection, and a guarantee that if you passed through that intersection you would die, we would do everything in our power to tell family and friends to AVOID that intersection .
If we really were convinced that without faith in Jesus Christ, a person would go to hell, we would be asking more and more people about their salvation experience and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A person’s goodness or church relationship does not qualify one for heaven, no matter what one may think. Peter & John said there is NO OTHER WAY! Not by giving thousands of dollars or by attending church or by being a deacon or Sunday School teacher or even a charter member.
Early in my pastoral ministry, I recognized this was a problem for some Christians. I asked a man about his relationship with Christ and he exploded like a firecracker. He proceeded to tell me about being raised a Presbyterian and what right do I have to ask him about his faith, and that ’you Baptists are always putting people down’, etc. Touchy, wasn’t he?
On another occasion, when a dear old saint was dying, I asked her about her relationship with Jesus Christ and how and when she was saved. She told me about the experience with joy and at length. At her funeral, I related that incident with joy but later was accosted by someone who said, “how dare you ask her if she was a Christian!”
Once in a Deacon ordination, one of the final questions asked was, “Tell us about your conversion experience”. On another occasion, someone was upset with me because I wouldn’t baptize their friend and the reason I wouldn’t was because she could not give testimony of a personal faith in Jesus Christ!
“What’s the big deal?, she said….. “She attends church.”
What if Peter and John showed up in the average church across this country? What if they showed up at our church? Would their message of faith in Jesus Christ be welcomed by us? Could it be that we need a good old fashioned reminder of personal faith in Jesus Christ? And, a reminder of the the urgency of sharing the good news with others?
Every Sunday, some people sit in the pews of this church and hear the Gospel and walk away lost. Every Sunday, in almost every church, are church members depending upon their church activity to get them to heaven. Every Sunday, there are people who are sitting at home, thinking they are a church member and OK with God. Every Sunday, there are people in probably every church who need to be saved. A Spirit filled, minister will boldly proclaim the Gospel. A Spirit filled Sunday School teacher will boldly and without apology present the Gospel. When someone asks, what about the pagan in Africa, don’t hesitate to say that there is no other way but through Jesus! But, why be concerned about the pagan in Africa unless they have witnessed to their lost neighbors and friends?
A new boldness is needed as America becomes more syncretistic and more ecclectic. New Age, psychic, Buddhist & Hindu influences are everywhere. Have Christians become so accustomed to hearing about these, so they are now acceptable? Do we believe that people without Jesus are lost and headed to an eternal separation from God in hell? Does our level of sharing the Good News reflect our belief in what it means to be saved? Or, subtly, gradually, and insidiously, has a modified “universalism” crept into our beliefs?
4. BOLDNESS in LIFESTYLE (v14-20)
What does it take for a church to grow? If we were to ask Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, or Rick Warren, Saddleback Community Church in California, or a country preacher in a rural area, would we get different answers concerning church growth? During the last 30 years, many methods have been promoted including Sunday School, personal soul-winning, bus ministry, door to door visitation, servanthood evangelism, even Revivals. But, Peter and John knew nothing about the church growth movement. When they were arrested, brought before the Council, and commanded to stop speaking about Jesus, Peter and John said they could NOT stop speaking about what they have seen and heard. Their boldness in speech and lifestyle was so convincing, the Council let them go (v21). In v23, they prayed for more boldness and courage and in v31, they were filled with the Spirit and spoke with boldness.
Peter and John knew they had a mission and would not/could not stop speaking about what they had heard and seen. They were confident of their responsibility and accountability to God that nothing else mattered. God was priority #1 in their lives. They were solely responsible to Him and not responsible to any man.
This is not the attitude of some rebellious and unfocused childish adult. This is the attitude of men focused on the mission given to them by Almighty God. I wish I could say that about myself. Can you say that about yourself? Are you solely accountable to Him? Is every word you speak uttered with an awareness of His mission in your life? Is every dollar spent in awareness of His pleasure/displeasure with your expense? Do I plan my time based upon what people want or upon what God wants from me? Is it easier to go along with the culture than go against it.
These unschooled, uneducated men were spiritually attuned enough to realize that the most important person to please is the Lord Jesus Christ! They were convinced that if no one but Jesus was pleased with them, that was OK! Their lifestyle of faith spoke volumes to people around them. But, they lived what they spoke, "Jesus is the only way"!!!!
What about us? Are we bold enough to take a stand for Jesus whether or not any one else does? Do we attend worship because it’s the right thing to do or because family expects us to? Is your heart so set on following the Lord Jesus that nothing else matters? Nothing else - Not family, not finances, not future ministry, not job, not how it looks in the community, not how it appears to other family members or church members, but the #1 desire of your heart is to please God!
When a person is Spirit-filled, there will be a NEW boldness in Teaching, Praying for Healing in the Name of Jesus, Preaching & witnessing, and even in their lifestyle. People will be attracted to people who are genuine and bold for Jesus Christ.
Charles Colson tells a story about Telemachus, a 4th century Christian who lived in a remote village, who tended his garden and spent much time in prayer. One day, he thought he heard the voice of God telling him to go to Rome, so he obeyed, setting out on foot. Some weeks later, weary from the journey, he arrived in Rome about the time of a great festival. The little monk followed the crowd surging down the streets into the Colosseum. He saw the gladiators stand before the Emperor and say, “We who are about to die salute you.” Then he realized these men were going to fight to the death for the entertainment of the crowd. The crowd cheered, but Telemachus cried out loudly “In the name of Christ, STOP!!!!” As the games began, he pushed his way through the crowd, climbed over the wall and dropped onto the floor of the arena. The crowd saw this tiny man rushing to the gladiators, saying, “In the name of Christ, STOP!!!” they thought it was part of the show and began laughing. In a few moments, they realized it was not part of the show and the crowd became angry. Standing pleading with the gladiators to stop their bloody show, one of the gladiators plunged a sword into Telemachus’ body. He fell to the sand. As he was dying, his last words were, “In the name of Christ, STOP!!!!”
Then a strange thing happened. The gladiators stood there looking at the tiny monk lying there dead. A hush fell over the Colosseum. Way up in the upper rows, a man stood and made his way to the exit. Others followed. In dead silence, one by one, everyone left the Colosseum. The year was 391 and that was the last battle to the death between gladiators in the Roman Colosseum. Never again in the great stadium did men kill each other for the entertainment of the crowd - all because of that one voice that could hardly be heard. One voice - one life - that spoke the truth BOLDLY in God’s name.
What if God’s Children, were bold in today’ world?
